General State Laws
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ALABAMA
Any licensed minister of the gospel in regular communion with the Christian
church or society of which he is a member may perform marriages. Also,
marriages may be performed by the pastor of any religious society according to
the rules of the religious society. --- Ministers must provide a certificate of the
marriage to the judge of probate within one month after the marriage. --- For
questions see the clerk for the judge of probate.
ALASKA
The minister, priest or rabbi of any church or congregation in the state may
perform marriages. --- Ministers must provide marriage certificates to the couple
married and report the marriage to the Marriage Commissioner.
ARIZONA
Any licensed or ordained clergyman may perform marriages. --- Ministers must
record the marriage on the marriage license and return it to the clerk of the
Superior Court within 20 days after the marriage. - -- For questions see the clerk
of the Superior Court.
ARKANSAS
Any regularly ordained minister or priest of any religious sect or denomination
may perform marriages. --- Ministers must have their ordination credentials filed
by the county clerk who will then issue a certificate to the minister. --- The
marriage license must be completed by the minister and returned to the county
clerk within 60 days from the date the license was issued. --- For questions see
the county clerk.
CALIFORNIA
Any priest, minister, or rabbi of any religious denomination, of the age of 18
years or over may perform marriages. --- Ministers must complete the marriage
license and return it to the county clerk within 4 days after the marriage. --- For
questions see the county clerk.
COLORADO
Marriages may be performed by any minister. --- Ministers must send a marriage
certificate to the county clerk. --- For questions see the county clerk.
CONNECTICUT
All ordained or licensed clergymen belonging to this state or any other state may
perform marriages as long as they continue in the work of the ministry. -- -
Marriage license must be completed by the minister and returned to the city or
town clerk. --- For questions see the city or town clerk.
DELAWARE
Any ordained minister of the gospel and every minister in charge of a recognized
church may perform marriages. --- Ministers do not need to be licensed to
perform marriages but they must report their name and address to the local
registrar in the district in which they live. --- Ministers must keep the marriage
license or a copy for at least one year. Also, the minister must, within 4 days,
complete and return forms required by the State Board of Health to the clerk of
the peace. --- For questions see the clerk of the peace.
FLORIDA
All regularly ordained ministers of the gospel in communion with some church
may perform marriages. --- Ministers must complete a certificate of marriage on
the marriage license and return it to the office from which it was issued. --- For
questions see the county clerk.
GEORGIA
Any minister who is authorized by his or her church may perform marriages. ---
Ministers must complete a certificate of marriage and return it to the ordinary
within 30 days after the marriage. --- For questions see the ordinary's clerk at
the county courthouse.
HAWAII
Any minister may perform marriages if they are authorized by their church to do
so. --- Ministers must obtain a license from the department of health before
performing marriages. -Ministers must keep a record of all marriages they
perform. Ministers must report all marriages they perform to the department of
health. --- For questions see the department of health.
IDAHO
Marriages may be performed by priests or ministers of the gospel of any
denomination. --- Ministers must give a marriage certificate to the bride and to
the groom. Also, the minister must complete the license and marriage certificate
and return it to the recorder who issued it within 30 days after the marriage. ---
For questions see the county recorder.
ILLINOIS
Marriages may be performed by ministers of the gospel in regular standing in
the church or society to which they belong. --- The marriage license and
certificate must be completed by the minister and returned to the county clerk
within 30 days after the marriage. --- For questions see the county clerk.
INDIANA
Ministers of the gospel and priests of every church throughout the state may
perform marriages. ---Ministers must return the marriage license and a
certificate of marriage to the clerk of the circuit court within 3 months after the
marriage. ---For questions see the clerk of the circuit court.
IOWA
Ministers of the gospel who are ordained by their church may perform
marriages. --- Minister must give a certificate of marriage to the bride and to the
groom. Also, the minister must report the marriage to the clerk of the district
court within 15 days after the marriage. -For questions see the clerk of the
district court.
KANSAS
Any ordained clergyman of any religious denomination or society may perform
marriages. --Ministers are required to file credentials or ordination with the judge
of a probate court before performing marriages. --- Minister must return the
marriage license and a certificate of marriage to the probate judge who issued
the marriage license within 10 days after the marriage. --- For questions see the
clerk of the probate court.
KENTUCKY
Marriages may be performed by any minister of the gospel or priests of any
denomination with any religious society. --- Ministers must be licensed before
performing marriages. See the local county clerk for a license. --- Ministers must
return the marriage license and marriage certificate to the county clerk within 3
months after the marriage. --- It is illegal to solicit marriages. --- For questions
see the county clerk.
LOUISIANA
Ministers of the gospel or priests of any denomination in regular communion with
any religious society may perform marriages. --- Ministers must register with the
clerk of the district court of the parish or with the health department if in New
Orleans. --- After performing a marriage, the minister must complete a marriage
certificate and return it to the clerk of the district court. --- For questions see the
clerk of the district court.
MAINE
Ordained ministers of the gospel may perform marriages. --- Ministers must be
licensed by the secretary of State before performing marriages. Application may
be made to the town clerk or treasurer. There is a $5 fee. --- After the marriage,
the minister must file a copy of the record of marriage with the town clerk. --- For
questions see the town clerk.
MARYLAND
Any minister of the gospel authorized by the rules and customs of their church
may perform marriages. --- Minister must complete the marriage license and
marriage certificate and give one certificate to the couple. Another certificate
and the license must be returned to the clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
within five days after the marriage. --- For questions see the clerk of the Court of
Common Pleas.
MASSACHUSETTS
Ordained ministers of the gospel may perform marriages. --- Before performing
marriages, ministers are required to apply for a certificate from the state. For
applications write to: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Office of the
Secretary, Supervisor, Commissions Division, State House, Boston,
Massachusetts 02133. You must file a copy of your ordination certificate and a
statement from the church saying that you are in good standing. Please let us
know well in advance if you need a statement from us. --- Ministers must keep
records of all marriages they perform. Also, ministers must return a certificate of
the marriage to the town clerk or registrar who issued the marriage license and
to the town clerk of the town where the marriage was performed. --- For
questions see the town clerk or registrar or write to the Secretary of State.
